Santa Ana news briefs: Business leader recognized, home loans available

The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council this week recognized Frank Talarico Jr. for his exemplary citizen participation and services to the Santa Ana community.

Talarico is president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. Talarico aggressively embraced the Goodwill mission to “help people who are facing barriers to finding employment” as his own.

He is creating unique entrepreneurial programs and services that aim to better reach existing and emerging target audiences, according to the city.

His most recent Goodwill startup program is designed to market young veteran job seekers by highlighting the skills they gained during their military service.

Enduring Independence launched in November and focuses on employers rather than veterans.

Talarico is confident that Enduring Independence will assist in opening 10,000 doorways into Orange County’s business community for young veterans by 2020.

Goodwill of Orange County’s other innovative and entrepreneurial programs have included the opening of the Goodwill Fitness Center, one of only a few gyms in the country specifically designed for people living with physical disabilities or chronic illness.

It also started the first internet auction site owned and operated by a nonprofit organization, shopgoodwill.com.

Since Talarico has taken the helm, Goodwill of Orange County has also launched the Goodwill Exchange, an online auction platform for Goodwill organizations to sell their recyclables and commodities to a network of more than 80 million buyers worldwide.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR HOME LOAN PROGRAM

Are you looking to purchase your own home in the city of Santa Ana?

If you are first-time homebuyer or have not owned property in the past 3 years, you may be eligible for a down payment assistance loan up to $40,000.

The minimum down payment assistance requirements are: must be pre-qualified for a first mortgage; must be a first time homebuyer; have 3 percent down payment of own funds; must complete the Homebuyer Counseling program; home must be located in Santa Ana; must have acceptable credit history; and must meet income requirements.

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